Sheffield SafetyNET Programme

Sheffield SafetyNET supports the Government’s ‘Every Child Matters’ approach to making sure that we put children and young people at the centre of efforts to support them. It works on a very simple principle: People work better when they work together. Sheffield SafetyNET is a way of helping professionals who support children and young people to work better, together, in the best interests of the people they are trying to help.

 

As individuals the people who's job it is to help, support and provide advice to children and young people often try their very best to do as much as they can but often one person, on their own, does not have all the answers. This is where Sheffield SafetyNET can help. Supported by a computer system that keeps a record of who is working with each child or young person, this simple bit of information – “who else is working with a child or young person” - professionals can get together to provide a better service.

 

Because Sheffield SafetyNET is so simple it does not need to hold very much information about children or young people to be effective. Sheffield SafetyNET holds the following information about every child or young person: Name, Address, Date of Birth, Gender, School Name and registered GP. It does not hold any detailed records about a person’s education, health or social welfare. This is not 'new' information; it is information that the Local Authority and the local health providers already hold.

 

Professionals indicate on the computer system that they are working with a child or young person and this allows other professionals to get in contact with them if required. Normally professionals will only indicate their involvement with agreement from the child, young person, or their family.

SafetyNET has been operating in Sheffield since October 2005 and was set up with support from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) in order to examine the benefits of this approach for Children and Young People. The success of SafetyNET in Sheffield and similar results from other Local Authorities involved in the trial has supported the government’s decision to establish a National System, known as ContactPoint – this is planned to become available in 2008.

 

For more information on the Sheffield SafetyNET Programme you may view the other links on in the menu on the left or visit the SafetyNET website for a detailed description of the programme, including frequently asked questions.

 

For more information on the National Project – ContactPoint visit Every Child Matters – ContactPoint